Authorities in central and eastern Europe have evacuated hundreds of residents as landslides and floods ravage the area, while firefighters in Portugal continue to battle dozens of fires across the country.

Weather forecasters say three days of heavy rain have triggered landslides and flooding from France to the Black Sea coast. Officials say more than 20 people have been killed in the last week, including 18 in hard-hit Romania.

Floodwaters and landslides have cut electricity and communications. Rescue workers are using helicopters to evacuate remote villages in several countries, including Germany and Austria.

Meanwhile, more than 2,300 firefighters are battling a series of blazes across northern and central Portugal. France, Spain, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands have sent helicopters and planes to help Portuguese firefighters. The fires have killed 15 people and destroyed more than 100,000 hectares this year in drought-stricken Portugal.